One of the most memorable moments from Tuesday night's National League Wild Card Game between the Colorado Rockies and Chicago Cubs wasn't a hit, but rather a hug.
In the 11th inning, Javier Baez hugged Nolan Arenado on a force out. Predictably, the play caused a stir, with some wondering if Baez had violated the rules -- there was, after all, the potential for a double play -- and others using the opportunity to let the jokes fly.
As part our civic duty, we decided to round up some of our favorite social media reactions. First, here's a look at the hug itself, in screencap form:
awwwwwwww pic.twitter.com/Z1fkhtk2rv
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) October 3, 2018
Now, onto the tweets:
HMMMM pic.twitter.com/IBjbNuQxic
— Emma Baccellieri (@emmabaccellieri) October 3, 2018
Nolan Arenado clearly completes and reciprocates the hug, therefore NOT OBSTRUCTION #HugWatch pic.twitter.com/UPN8nLV8GJ
— Cespedes Family BBQ (@CespedesBBQ) October 3, 2018
When the runner hugs you while the play is still live pic.twitter.com/ydaBLyVTF4
— ᴍᴀᴛᴛ ᴊᴀᴍᴇs (@_Matt_James_) October 3, 2018
— Jon Tayler, Smiling Politely (@JATayler) October 3, 2018
Javy Baez: pic.twitter.com/phURxph1qi
— Dieter Kurtenbach (@dkurtenbach) October 3, 2018
Even former Cy Young Award winner Orel Hershiser weighed in:
There is no hugging in Baseball!!
— Orel Hershiser (@OrelHershiser) October 3, 2018
I cry in memory features!!
But no hugging in playoffs!!
Brutal!!
Brutal, perhaps. But it just goes to show Javier Baez is the most innovative ballplayer there is today.